Mitochondria are the energy factory of every cell in our bodies. Malfunctioning or mutated mitochondria are at the root of a wide range of ailments. A novel technique under development in Israel by Minovia Technologies, mitochondrial augmentation therapy (MAT), is being tested on children with rare, untreatable mitochondrial diseases. To test the efficacy of the method, Minovia CEO Natalie Yivgi-Ohana, a biochemist and embryologist, has zeroed in on patients with Pearson syndrome, a fatal bone marrow disorder diagnosed in about 100 children globally.
Quote: “Once it’s proven to work, it can benefit a large variety of people because mitochondrial function can be hindered not only by disease but also by aging,” says Shai Melcer, chief business officer of Minovia Therapeutics in Tirat Carmel. “There are endless opportunities for this technology but for now we are staying focused on reversing specific diseases.”
— Israel21c
Learn more about Midochondrial diseases from Wikipedia. ►
Learn more about Minovia Therapeutics from the company’s website. ►
Read “New cell therapy may be key to curing disease” ►
Watch “Explaining Mitochondrial Disease” [6:45]. ►
Photo: STAT News
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